A little bit about who we are…

Hinkley/Associates offers a full range of Landscape Design and Construction services to satisfy all your design and construction needs. Our design studios and construction yard is located near Trafalgar Road & Highway 407, so we are well-positioned to service all our clients in the Halton/Oakville/Milton and Mississauga areas with ease. Our range of projects also include many projects in both Burlington and Etobicoke well.

The company is operated and managed by Stephen Hinkley and Mike Badovinac, who have each earned a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph (’85 & ’95). That education, combined with their considerable experience, has instilled an appreciation for both the Design and Construction processes, however, more importantly, it has enabled them to appreciate and advise clients about the restrictions one puts on the other.

In addition, we have been blessed with a strong in-house construction team. Rest-assured these crews will ensure that the standards we set for our work remain high in everything we do. We follow time-honoured and time-tested construction techniques which produce low failure-rates and minimal call-backs. We know we’re not perfect – we’ve made mistakes in the past, however we’ve always been able to learn from these experiences and apply this new knowledge to future projects.

…And if you’re still not convinced, read what our customers have to say…

Our knowledge is your benefit

Delivering Design/Build industry excellence and experience for over twenty-five years.

The Design Phase

Commissioning a professional Landscape Designer is probably the most important step you can take towards fulfilling your needs. It’s often said that “the beauty is in the details” and as you might appreciate, choosing and arranging these details takes time, knowledge and experience. Choose a designer who has the first-hand knowledge and experience to bring your wishes to life.
Choose hinkley/associates!

Landscape Construction

If you’ve made it this far, CONGRATULATIONS are in order! You’re well on the way to undergoing one of the most exciting projects a homeowner can undertake. During this phase of the project we will bring organized chaos to your home as we generate a bit of noise, a bit of mud and a bit of dust. However, in the end, we make a promise to all our customers that the results will exceed their expectations!

Swimming Pool Construction

There’s hardly a better amenity to melt away the stress of the week than your very own swimming pool. If you have the space and the desire, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how easily one can be installed in your own backyard! No reservations required for this relaxing “stay-cation”.
Just fire-up the grill, call-up your mates – or keep it all to yourself – we won’t judge…

Landscape Design

Our design services offer well thought-out solutions using the most popular Landscape Design program in the industry. Our CAD renderings allow us the opportunity to provide clean, professional drawings plus the ability to complete minor or major changes in short order. Our design service typically includes a single-sheet plan view complete with a written, detailed estimate.

Design fees vary depending on property size and scope of work however typical front yard design fee starts at $500.00 while rear yard design fees start at $750.00. All fee are subject to HST and are non-refundable.

Colour drawings require more effort but are available for $175.00/sheet and $20.00 for any additional copies.

Three-dimensional drawings (3-D) are also available at an additional cost. Typical 3-D renderings start at around $450.00.

Why do I need a design?

Some projects do not. A simple front walkway joining the driveway to the front door does not merit the effort and costs of a design drawing. On the other hand, if your needs extend beyond simply a mud-free zone between the driveway and the door, a design might be the wiser choice. If you’re thinking of spending a considerable sum on your property, a sketch prepared on a clipboard is probably not the best plan of attack.

Why do you charge for design fees while some of your competitors do not?

If someone offers you their design work for free, those design costs will either be built-into the cost of construction or the design work will be worth every cent you paid for it…

How much does a landscape design cost?

Typical properties are $500.00 for the front yard and $750.00 for a rear yard. Combine both yards at the same time and the design fee is $1,000.00. Also appreciate that any additional time spent preparing permit drawings, Arborists or Engineer reports, Zoning or By-Law investigations or Permit fees/deposits (or similar) will be charged back at $75.00/hr and are not included in the design fee. All prices are subject to HST.

How long does it take to do a design?

Depending on our workload and the scope of the design but typically you can expect 2-3 weeks at the best and 4-5 weeks at the outside for the initial presentation.

Many of your competitors offer a design refund once the project is completed, do you?

People have a tendency to discount the value of intellectual property, which is essentially what the landscape design is. We take a considerable amount of time to prepare the drawings and we don’t think it unreasonable to be paid for that effort.

What sort of guarantee do you have for your designs?

The design drawing is to be considered a design concept drawing, not a scalable working drawing. Although each project could conceivably be built from the concept drawings, there will be certain verifications the builder must make before construction begins to verify accuracy.

What happens if I don’t like your design?

Each design is open to discussion and revision. We’re pretty sure we will get quite close to what you wanted right off the bat but we are prepared to make revisions to the design, based on a preliminary design presentation. Multiple or major revisions may result in additional design fees.

What happens if I use someone else to build what you have designed?

You are well within your rights to choose another contractor, however, as mentioned above, they must be prepared to verify dimensions and drawing accuracy before starting the project.

Pre Planning

This is where we change hats from being Landscape Designers and become Project Managers. We begin planning your project – you don’t really see us too much but we’re fully engaged in the background doing the following:

During the construction process, we appreciate that we are guests at your home and will do our best to minimize our impact on both you and your neighbourhood. Having said that, many of our tools are noisy and many of the tasks we do will create a lot of dust – it’s usually short-lived but unfortunately unavoidable.

FANTASTIC WORKERS

Our workers are regularly praised by our clients – not only on the quality of their work but on how well they conduct themselves on the site. But don’t take our word for it, view our testimonials – some are embarrassingly positive. Many of these guys have been working with Steve & Mike since the turn of the century!

DEDICATED CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR

Each project has a dedicated Site Supervisor assigned to supervise and participate in the day to day activities on your project. As construction progresses, you are encouraged to interact with him, the crew and our office by asking questions if and when they arise. Your designer is in constant contact with the supervisor and will perform frequent inspections at key times to ensure the design intent is maintained.

COMMITTED TO GETTING THE JOB DONE

We assure all our customers that once we start the job, you’re stuck with us till the end. Our men will be on your site Monday to Friday at 7:00am every morning and will stay until 5:00pm every afternoon. We reserve our Saturdays for any warranty or service workday so with the exceptions of extreme weather, pending municipal inspections or material shortages, we will not leave your site.

What time do your crews start in the morning?

We typically start at 7:00am, Monday to Friday although many days we may need to begin our day at our yard to assemble tools or equipment and may not show up on site until later in the day.

How long does it take to build your projects?

Each project varies in time however we use a loose figure of between $8,000.00 and $12,000.00 of work can be done by a crew each week.

What happens if some of my plants die once you leave?

As you know, plants are living organisms and as such require a certain level of care and attention to survive. Our plant warranty is not unconditional. If a plant dies because your dog sat on it, we make the dog pay for the replacement. We will replace any plant once, within a one year period. If the same plant dies again, you may be expected to pay for the replacement plant and labour yourself.

Will I be able to use my garage and driveway while you’re working?

In some limited capacity, yes however each job is different and material storage has always been an issue on almost every project.

Can you guarantee a start and finish time?

No, I wish I could but it’s never been possible. It’s kinda like the weather; we can get close but don’t plan any picnics till the work is done.

What happens if you cut my phone and Cable line and I have no internet service?

We usually have the ability to make temporary repairs to bell and cable lines however that sort of damage is unavoidable because neither company will “locate” individual service lines.

Pool Construction

Hinkley/Associates have been building vinyl in-ground swimming pools since 1999. We entered the business of pool building in response to the lack-luster performance of so-called pool industry leaders whose reliability and performance deficiencies left us no other alternative but to build them ourselves. We now have complete control of the construction process and can manage both the landscaping and pool installation simultaneously.

Building a pool is a big investment and answering all the questions that come up when choosing the right pool can be daunting. Let us guide you through the many choices available to you. You may have discussed your options with other pool owners and already have a good idea about what you want. However, we also have the experience and the knowledge to make this experience as pain-free as possible.
Every one of our crews anticipates the challenge a pool construct presents and are always eager to install the next Hinkley masterpiece.

Monitoring your pools performance and condition is something we have always been keen on participating in. As part of our post construction services, we offer our customers Pool opening and closing services that allow us to take extra special care of our pools, and the gardens that surround them. We’ve always been available for emergency services if a pump fails, a liner needs replacing or a heater goes on the blink. There are some tasks our service techs are not licensed to complete but we have nurtured a select group of gas techs and electricians who can respond to those requests in short order.

Testimonials

“We purchased the property solely for the fabulous yard and pool that Hinkley & Associates designed and constructed. Not only did he and his crew spend time with us explaining the pool, but Steve took the time to go through all the plant material he used so we would know how to maintain it. They were wonderful. We have recently moved from that property and already have plans to have Steve come by and start designing a new backyard oasis for us. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Hinkley & Associates … just stand in line behind us!!”

Cathy B – Oakville/Ancaster (2009 – 2012)

“I have worked with Steve on both commercial projects, and my home for 14 years and would use no one else. Design, preparation, installation are excellent.”

John & Judy – Oakville (1999 – present)

“I have dealt with numerous trades over the last several years—-renovating my home both inside and out. Steve Hinkley’s honesty, integrity and workmanship distinguish him above the rest.”

Peter & Lisa – Etobicoke (2003 – present)

“We have had an excellent relationship with Hinkley/Associates for many years and have found them to be professional, friendly and responsive. The folks working on-site reflect all of the same qualities. The projects they have done for us have been of the highest quality, within budget, and exceeded our expectations in every way. We wouldn’t consider having anyone else.”

Dawn & Fraser – Brampton (2005 – present)

“It would be my pleasure to attest to the imaginative design, quality of materials, competence of staff, on-time completion, and most importantly – accuracy of budgets! My dealings with Hinkley/Associates have always finalized with my complete satisfaction.”

Michael & Anne – Etobicoke (2004-present)

“The project started as scheduled and the crew was very professional and organized. They kept us informed every step of the way. Steve was personally involved throughout the project and we relied on his expertise as the job progressed, and were thrilled with the result. We highly recommend the Hinkley team and look forward to working with them again.”

Cathy & Derek – Mississauga (2012)

“I have been happy with the suggestions that were provided by Mike at Hinkley. The thing that has impressed me the most is their efforts towards total customer satisfaction. They are always eager to make sure that their customers are happy with the work that has been done. I would highly recommend them!!!”

Joan B – Georgetown – (2007, 2012)

“We have had the opportunity to work with the Hinkley team on two of our exterior home renovation projects. The entire process- from design meetings, costing, construction, and wrap-up was handled honestly and professionally. The team found a way to balance what we wanted, with what we could afford and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

Dave from Mississauga (2003 – current)

“These guys are perfectionists. They work with you to realize your vision, using the best materials and an impeccably detailed, skilled process. Honestly, the results far exceeded our expectations. You can feel their commitment. I think they were as excited as we were to see it all come together. Working with Hinkley/Associates is by far the best experience I’ve had with a company. The customer-focus is astonishing. Usually you can’t wait for service people to leave, but you’ll love having these guys around. They are friendly, conscientious and immensely respectful of your convenience and your property. We had called many companies and had met with reps one after the other. Within five minutes of meeting Mike I knew we were in the right hands. It was the easiest thing in the world. He understood exactly what we imagined and made it possible.”

Adrian B, Mississauga (2011)

“We interviewed several potential landscapers and even rejected one after an initial design was completed, before finally choosing Hinkley/Associates. Our front and back-yard landscaping project was very complex and took two years to complete because of its’ intricate design features, which included a custom pool surrounded by multi-tiered fountains and waterfalls, decking, glass fences and extensive stone work and steps. Hinkley and Associates thrived under the challenge and found creative solutions to every potential problem. Throughout the project they were always focused on service and attention to detail. The result was stunning and the quality of the workmanship was of the highest calibre. Complete strangers take photos of our backyard as they walk by and everyone who has seen it has been unequivocally complimentary. Even now, 5 years later, we still have a continued relationship with Steve and his team.”

Cheers, Heather & Neil – Mississauga (2008– present)

“We love the job Hinkley/Associates did for us in 2006. Their expertise from start to finish was nothing short of remarkable, and we appreciated that. Due to the size of the project we anticipated going through a stressful time. I’m happy to say it was the least stressful renovation we have ever undertaken! We absolutely love the oasis that you created for us. Spring, summer, fall and winter- it looks fantastic! We get compliments on a regular basis. We really enjoyed working with you, the design team and the crew who made it all happen.”

George and Tina – Lorne Park, Mississauga (2005, 2006, 2010)

“Mike and the Hinkley crew took what was a sandy, blank construction site and transformed it into a lovely yard and garden. Mike’s design vision for the space ties in beautifully with the architecture of the house and pool. We were very happy with the friendliness and professionalism of the crew and warrantee issues were attended to promptly. We have and will continue to recommend Hinkley/Associates to friends.”

Kim S – Mississauga (2010)

“I was so happy with Hinkley/Associates; I’ve used them on 2 different homes! Right from the beginning, Steve was open to ideas and made many terrific suggestions on how the project could proceed. Any of my concerns were addressed promptly and I was more than happy with the results. The crews were impressive – thorough, courteous and approachable. Many of my neighbours mentioned they loved the end results. Fantastic jobs!”

Dave T – Mississauga (2004, 2012)

“It was apparent after meeting with Steve in 2012 that we would be dealing with a highly experienced designer. We had a ‘nothing yard’ and Steve and his team turned it into a yard that turns heads in our neighbourhood. We often receive compliments from neighbours about how beautiful it looks. His guys were so professional, friendly, respectful and approachable. We knew what we wanted and they gave us more than we could expect. We will gladly recommend Hinkley/Associates to anyone looking for a professional landscaper.”

Rick & Sharon – Waterdown (2012, 2015)

“Thanks to Hinkley/Associates for a great front and back yard design. The design captured great traditional materials and some modern touches – friends of ours are designer/decorators and graphic artists and they have raved about the design and how well it works with the space. We have recommended Hinkley/Associates to neighbors, relatives and friends, and all have been very satisfied. The crews were professional and courteous, the build was completed on time and within budget and their ongoing maintenance and service always meets our expectations.”

Gary & Vanessa – Oakville – 2009 to present

“We have been working with Steve Hinkley since we bought our second family home back in the early 90’s. Since then, Steve has designed and built gardens at all three of our homes. He listened closely to our ideas and was always willing to re-consider alternatives to make sure we had the garden of our dreams. Steve’s expertise was not only evident in the construction of the gardens, but also in dealing with multiple City ordinances and Conservation Authority issues that arose during the planning stages of our project. The scope of work was considerable and the end results are something that we are very proud of. We would have no problems using Steve and Hinkley/Associates again in the future and would not hesitate to refer his services to our friends and family, in fact we just did so last week!”

Steve & Petra – Mississauga (1992) and Oakville (1996, 2008, 2009)

“We wanted something that was transitional from season to season with very little maintenance but a lot of colour. We also wanted the design to match the design of our building. When Mike unrolled our front yard blue print, it had everything we wanted and more. The Hinkley/ Associates crew were fantastic. They arrived early, stayed late and worked hard. The crew were well mannered, neat and tidy. I felt good paying for their services knowing that they were working hard and the materials used were not readily available at a local building supply store. The final outcome of the design was stellar and beyond perfection. My neighbors were so impressed watching the work and viewing the result that they also chose Hinkley/Associates for their front yard landscape. The best part about it was that the neighbours’ yard looks completely different than ours!”

Barbara P – Mississauga – 2009

“We engaged Hinkley/Associates to design and construct a complete external property makeover in 2012, in conjunction with a separate building contractor who was working on extensions and renovations to the house. The scope of work was enormous. We worked closely with Mike Badovinac through the initial design and budgeting and found that he listened carefully and responded to our needs, providing alternative options if necessary. Both Mike and Steve Hinkley were involved through the extensive permitting process with the City of Mississauga and both were involved in different aspects of the work application on the ground. We found Hinkley/Associates to be extremely professional in their approach to all aspects of the contract, and they worked closely with us to ensure that the job was completed on budget and on schedule. The Hinkley work crews were a delight to have on the premises for the duration of the project. The site was always left in a clean and tidy manner at the end of each day and close attention was paid to health and safety issues on site.”

Terence & Svea – Lorne Park – 2012, 2017

“Hinkley/Associates did interlocking walkways and patio as well as landscaping for our property. I was particularly impressed with the attention to detail from the design stage through to completion. Any minor deficiencies that came to light after the job was completed were quickly corrected. I would highly recommend Hinkley/Associates.”

Michael O – Mississauga (2010), (2012)

“We were just thrilled with the service provided by Hinkley/Associates. They really listened to us and spent a lot of time trying to find just the right match for our yard – both trees and stonework. The results exceeded our expectations—the front looks even more beautiful than we had envisioned. The work went very smoothly and was completed almost before we knew it—it didn’t seem to be a problem at all and there were no surprise costs either! Even when the work was complete, they kept checking in on us, and the plants – and when one bush did not make it they replaced it right away. I would recommend Hinkley in a heartbeat!”

Natasha B – Mississauga (2011)

“We were extremely pleased with our pool and landscaping when it was installed by Hinkley/Associates in 2007, and everything looks just as fabulous today. Every element of the project — design, materials selection, planning, installation, and follow-up service — was handled in a friendly and very professional manner. Friends comment on the elegant flow of the design and the integration of the pool with the landscaping, the house and the property. We couldn’t be happier!”

Paul and Diane, Mississauga – Erin Mills, (2009)

“Steve and his team have worked on three homes for me in the past nine years – one full property design and build project, one smaller design and build project, and renovating my current pool and landscaping. His work was a key selling feature for both homes I sold. Hinkley gave us excellent design, craftsmanship and attention to detail, with a practicality and sensitivity to budget when necessary. I know I can count on Steve to address issues promptly if they arise and to provide ongoing service. His crews are a pleasure to have on site and it is nice to see familiar faces from year to year. I look forward to continuing to work with them this spring.”

Christine – Oakville (2004, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017)

“Frustrated when our original pool supplier was unable to deal with issues that arose from his installation, we called Steve Hinkley. We found him to have a can-do attitude. He and his crew were eager to solve the problems and repair them, not just put in time. We find his services to be professional; his crew experienced and reliable, appearing when booked. They are respectful of the surrounding garden area when they are here and clean up their work area. ”

Iris & Andrew – Oakville (2011, 2012)

“Our family had the great pleasure of having Hinkley/Associates transform our property front and back into a beautiful landscape. We are still extremely happy many years later. The plants are easy to maintain, the paving and stone work is still solid, and the gazebo that they built is still incredibly attractive and where we hang out every weekend in the summer. They even upgraded all our pool piping and mechanics!
We found the crew to always be very polite, pleasant and considerate. They did their best to minimize any mess and always cleaned up after the job was complete. Mike and Steve are very responsive to any questions or concerns. In future if I need any outdoor property work I will always use Hinkley. They are dependable, trustworthy and worth the expenditure.”

Margaret P. (2005, 2008, 2010)

“We are so thankful for the incredible garden that Hinkley/Associates created for us several years ago. We enjoyed every step of the process from our initial meetings, to the presentation of the design blue prints, and the incredible construction process. Hinkley/Associates transformed our yard into something above and beyond what we had imagined: a beautiful, peaceful, natural place for us to relax and enjoy! We appreciate your continued interest each year, with your additional design suggestions as our garden matures and transforms. Not a day goes by that we don’t stop and admire its beauty, no matter the season! ”

Janet and Paul, Erin Mills. (2003, 2010, 2012)

“We simply never used our backyard. We contacted Mike to fix the drainage and give us a seating area plus storage. We ended up with a beautiful and functional space that we now use daily.”

Teresa – Oakville (2009)

“Hinkley/Associates is, in our view, a first-class organization. It is a well-organized and well-coordinated team of landscape design and construction professionals. Our friends referred us to Hinkley/Associates when we were looking to make significant drainage improvements in our backyard. In the landscape design we wanted to include some enhancements to the appearance and livability of that space. What we consistently experienced and appreciated in our conversations with Mike and the crew members was patience, active listening, creativity and the willingness to help us make good project change decisions where required; plain discussion, positive interaction, no pressure. We are very pleased with the work done by Hinkley/Associates and have no reservation about recommending their service.”

Kelly and Sinc – Lorne Park (2012)

“First and foremost, the design was spectacular! I can’t begin to tell you how many neighbours and passersby would stop and comment on how beautiful the whole yard appeared! The job was handled in the most professional fashion I have experienced with any supplier I have used to date. The level of professionalism was second only to the timeliness of the work performed. Once the design was complete and agreed to, they provided timelines which were all met with great accuracy. The staff that came to the house were all exceptionally polite and left the work area clean & tidy which is far more than I have noticed from other suppliers. The speed at which they address issues is very impressive and I will add that all of the points above made the decision to go with Hinkley/Associates for the design and execution of my new home very easy. Again, thank you and great work!”

Michel – Oakville, (2009, 2010, 2011) Burlington, (2012)

“The Hinkley team did a great job exceeding our expectations. They worked with us on concepts and were very good at taking our vision to the concept phase then through to fruition. They were also considerate of our budget and staged the design based on our allowable expense, all while maintaining our goal of a front and back yard oasis.”

Our Pricing

Hinkley/Associates offers a full range of design, and construction services for your landscaping project. Prices vary depending on the scope of your proposal. Our galleries demonstrate a wide range of design options determined by the scope of your project.

Front Yard

$15 – 40kThe front of your house sets the tone for your home and reveals a lot about the people living inside. Some homes say “I’m working on a killer mortgage right now” while others say ”I love my home and I want it to look nice”. Which one are you?

Rear Yard

$35 – 200kYour back yard is usually dedicated to activities for your family and friends. Design focus should be on satisfying weekend and evening activities as well. Comfortable seating, privacy and landcsape lighting are high on my list. Yours might include a swimming pool or a hot tub to sooth those aching muscles – make a list…

Estate Lot

$150 – 500kLarger properties have the same design issues as their more-modest counterparts, only on a different scale. Estate properties offer more space and are usually designed to accommodate larger groups. As you might appreciate, overall construction costs increase with the scope of work.

Our Team

At the core of every successful company you will invariably find a group of individuals who approach their work with an elevated level of energy and passion. At hinkley/associates, we’re fortunate to have several such individuals who fit this description. It is their maturity and attention to detail that helps rank us among the best in our industry. Reap the rewards of our talent and experience!

Stephen Hinkley B.L.ArchPRESIDENT, Senior Project Manager

Mike Badovinac B.L.ArchDESIGNER, Project Coordinator

Kelly HinkleyOffice Manager

Peter StachowiakConstruction Supervisor – Pools and Landscape

Dan MickalowConstruction Supervisor – Pools and Landscape

Neil KothariConstruction Supervisor – Pools and Landscape

Tom SimonConstruction Supervisor - Carpentry Specialist

More is, well... more!

It's all in the details. Professional staff there to answer your needs and always deliver more.

Contact Details

Hinkley Associates

Hinkley Associates is a professional Landscape Design and Construction Company whose work has consistently ranked our services among the very best. We concentrate our services in the cities of Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Georgetown and Etobicoke, but have many successful projects in outlying areas as well.

Our crews are knowledgeable and experienced and have been hand-picked for their professionalism and craftsmanship. Drop us a line, our first consultation visit is complimentary!